Master Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai directed this lyrical, dream-like martial arts epic. A famously troubled shoot, the film took two years and 40 million dollars to produce (a shocking sum for a national cinema populated with… MoreMaster Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai directed this lyrical, dream-like martial arts epic. A famously troubled shoot, the film took two years and 40 million dollars to produce (a shocking sum for a national cinema populated with low-budget quickies) and features a virtual who's-who of the Hong Kong film world. Conceived as a prequel to the popular martial arts novel The Eagle-Shooting Hero by Jin Yong, the movie is less a straightforward action thriller than a visually striking meditation on memory and love. It nominally centers on Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung), who ekes out a lonely existence as an itinerant hired sword. Getting on in years and tormented by memories of a lost love, he also works an agent for other mercenary assassins from his remote desert abode. Ouyang's old friend and fellow swordsman, Huang Yaoshi (Tony Leung Kar-fai, who starred in the The Lover) drowns his lovelorn misery in a magical wine that makes him forget. Later, a mysterious young man named Murong Yang (Brigitte Lin) hires Ouyang to kill his sister's unfaithful suitor, Huang Yaoshi. The following day, that spurned sister, Murong Yin (Lin again), hires Ouyang to protect her dearly beloved. Meanwhile, Hong Qi (pop star Jackie Cheung) finds some redemption for a life of killing by accepting a poor girl's offer to avenge her brother's death -- a task that Ouyang brusquely shunned. In another subplot, a master swordsman (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) is slowly going blind. He agrees to defend a village from horse thieves so that he can afford to go home and see his wife before his eyesight fails completely. This film is one of the most celebrated examples of 1990s Hong Kong cinema: it won multiple awards in its native Hong Kong, along with a Golden Osella for Best Cinematography at the 1994 Venice Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Wong Kar Wai seems considerably more out of his depth than other Chinese filmmakers who have slummed in the martial arts genre. This can't compare to Chen Kaige's The Emperor and the Assassin or Yimou Zhang's House of Flying Daggers.

certainly one of the most beautiful films i have ever seen. but honestly, what the hell just happened? would kill to see this projected though

Lesley N

Muddling but strangely absorbing and beautiful to look at and (kind of) resolves itself at the end.

Anthony Valletta

A beautiful restoration. The cuts and additions provide a new clarity, while the new soundtrack enhances the emotional impact. I'd list this film among… MoreA beautiful restoration. The cuts and additions provide a new clarity, while the new soundtrack enhances the emotional impact. I'd list this film among the most stunningly photographed films ever.

Dean !

No doubt a well made film and with great cinematography. However it was a little confusing at times to follow the story and who were friends and who were… MoreNo doubt a well made film and with great cinematography. However it was a little confusing at times to follow the story and who were friends and who were enemies. The big disappointment for me was I had expected something along the lines of Hero or House of flying daggers. Unfortunately this is a different type of film altogether and barely has any fight scenes, and when there are they are a blur. Definitely more of a drama than a martial arts film.

Oh yes! Finally saw it. I don't believe that I saw the original unless it was at the Film Festival many years ago but I like it...Wong Kar Wai doing the… MoreOh yes! Finally saw it. I don't believe that I saw the original unless it was at the Film Festival many years ago but I like it...Wong Kar Wai doing the traditional Chinese epic story...and doing it in a very unique manner. Not a lot of effects for the ideas but plenty of character.

Ed Fucking Harris

This is a difficult movie to rate. First off I will state that visually this movie is flawless and exists in a league of it's own in that department. And… MoreThis is a difficult movie to rate. First off I will state that visually this movie is flawless and exists in a league of it's own in that department. And while I did enjoy this film immensely on that level, I still felt that the story telling aspect left a lot to be desired. I am aware that this redux version has a lot of fat cut, and the fuller, longer version might have been more to my liking, but i am reviewing the redux version alone here. Not to say this cimplaint hindered my enjoyment too much, I still enjoyed what is on display here. The loss of points are more for what isn't there rather than what is. I did feel it was difficult to follow what was going on and none of the characters were really very engaging for me though, As I said though this film is a visual feast and is worth seeing on those merits alone. Could have been better but still recommended.